Photo from Tracy Watkins
The Virginia Ice Theatre of Fairfax is capping off its inaugural season with a trip to the National U.S. Figure Skating Theatre on Ice Competition in Strongsville, Ohio from June 21-23. The team, based at Fairfax Ice Arena on Pickett Road, is part of The Skating Club of Northern Virginia. Skating to an original story based on Dr. Seuss characters, the 22 team members first began rehearsing together in September 2011.

Montessori of Chantilly
Eva, a kindergartner at Montessori of Chantilly, shows Capt. Stacey Kincaid a piece of artwork that will be auctioned to raise money for “Shop with a Sheriff.”

Photo from Tracy Watkins
The Virginia Ice Theatre of Fairfax is capping off its inaugural season with a trip to the National U.S. Figure Skating Theatre on Ice Competition in Strongsville, Ohio from June 21-23. The team, based at Fairfax Ice Arena on Pickett Road, is part of The Skating Club of Northern Virginia. Skating to an original story based on Dr. Seuss characters, the 22 team members first began rehearsing together in September 2011.

For the second year in a row, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office has received a donation to its Shop with a Sheriff Program: $1,000 from Montessori of Chantilly — Casa dei Bambini.

Each year, the kindergarten class creates several pieces of art under the guidance of the art teacher. The pieces then are auctioned rather than returned to the students, and proceeds benefit a charitable program.

“Auctioning the students’ works of art to benefit a charitable cause is a great way to teach our children how to care about the community,” said school director Deepa Simlot. “We want the children to have a sense of empathy.”

The annual Shop with a Sheriff program takes place before school starts. Children from the Katherine K. Hanley and Patrick Henry family shelters pair up with Sheriff’s deputies to purchase school supplies and clothes at the Target store in Burke.

Since 1992, the Burke Target has been the primary sponsor of this program. In recent years, Costco, Capital One Bank and Panera have added their support.

Erbrecht named principal of Daniels Run

Adam Erbrecht, an assistant principal at Providence Elementary School, will be the new principal of Daniels Run Elementary.

Born in Pennsylvania, Erbrecht attended Grove City College near Pittsburgh and began his teaching career in Atlanta. In 2003, he moved to Fairfax County, where he taught third and fifth grades.

Erbrecht earned a master’s degree in school administration from the University of Virginia in 2006. He served as assistant principal at Colin Powell Elementary School for three years before moving to Providence Elementary School in the city of Fairfax, working with Principal Jesse Kraft.

"The city of Fairfax School Board is delighted Adam will stay in the Fairfax pyramid and join the Daniels Run faculty,” said Janice Miller, chairman of that school board.

Erbrecht assumes his new responsibilities July 1.

Local author releases book on Kindle

McLean author Alianna Maren, who writes under the name Alay’nya, has made her second book, “Unveiling: The Inner Journey,” available to Kindle readers.

She published the paper version of the book in July 2011 and released the e-book version in May. It took second place in the Kindle nonfiction self-help subcategory, “Personal Transformation,” during a two-day free-book promotion last month.

“Almost 1,200 people took advantage of the free e-book download,” said Maren, an entrepreneur who coaches other authors in various stages of book development. A former professor at Georgetown, George Mason and Marymount universities, Maren has a doctorate in physical chemistry.

“Unveiling: The Inner Journey” is a “life-roadmap book,” according to Maren, for women moving beyond the time when their lives are dominated by children’s needs, and when they have already achieved some career stability and success.

For more, visit www.theunveilingjourney.com.

New businesses open in Fair Oaks, Reston, Burke

Four new fashion retailers are expanding the lineup at Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax. ALDO and Francesca’s Collections recently opened, and Cotton On and Bauer’s Fashion Eyewear debut in July.

ALDO specializes in high-quality footwear and accessories, making design and trends from the world’s fashion capitals accessible in reach and price. ALDO is on the upper level, near JCPenney.

Since opening its first store in 1999, Francesca’s Collections has become one of the fastest-growing women’s retailers in the country. With locations now in 43 states, Francesca’s boutiques offer eclectic apparel items, shoes, bags, jewelry, home accessories and gifts. The store is on the lower level, near Macy’s II.

New to the Washington, D.C., area is Cotton On, a fast-growing retailer known for its international fashions at affordable prices. From its modest beginnings as one store in Victoria, Australia, in 1991, Cotton On has opened more than 800 stores worldwide, offering the latest in men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. Cotton On opens in early July, on the lower level near Macy’s I.

Also coming is Bauer’s Fashion Eyewear, a family-owned retailer offering a large selection of luxury, designer and sports eyewear. Bauer’s trained staff can educate and assist customers in choosing the style best suited to their needs. The store will be on the upper level, above the Fair Oaks Grand Court.

In recent months, these other retailers and eateries have opened at Fair Oaks: Love Culture, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Charming Charlie, J. Crew, Elite Jewelers, Pandora and Me-Ality.

At Reston Town Center, Athleta, which opened its newest store Wednesday at 11900 Market St., offers high-performance, stylish, athletic and everyday apparel for women. Athleta, a division of Sonoma, Calif.-based Gap Inc., will make a donation to the local chapter of Girls on the Run in celebration of the Reston store opening.

Next week Athleta sponsors “Power to the She,” an event with hourly activities that feature local gyms, trainers, clubs, professional athletes, health and beauty consultants and local eateries. The free event takes place in the Pavilion from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 19 to 21. Registration is necessary; call 703-668-0256 or visit www.athleta.com.

Café Rio Mexican Grill is serving fresh-made tortillas, sweet pork barbacoa and other Mexican fare in Burke at 6003 Burke Center Parkway, after a ribbon-cutting May 30. This is the company’s fourth East Coast location.

Cafe Rio makes an effort to give back to local communities. The company announced that it will donate $2,500 to Fairfax County Public Schools and another $2,500 to the Hope for the Warriors Foundation. On “Military Mondays,” Café Rio donates 25 cents from every transaction to Hope for the Warriors.

The restaurant plans to host several community events, including a blood drive and an appearance by the NOVA Roller Derby Girls.

Virginia Bar recognizes Centreville attorney

William Schmidt of Centreville is scheduled to receive the Tradition of Excellence Award of the General Practice Section of the Virginia State Bar on June 16. Schmidt has been an attorney in private practice in Fairfax for more than 39 years.

He has been active in the Fairfax Bar Association, Fairfax Law Foundation, Virginia State Bar, Fairfax District of the Salvation Army, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries and the city of Fairfax Band. Schmidt was nominated for this award by his colleagues, including several past presidents of the Virginia State Bar.

Schmidt also has devoted a considerable amount of time and effort on behalf of civic organizations. For the past 19 years, he has been a bell ringer for the Salvation Army at the same location in Fairfax.